The modern kitchen is no more just a space where meals are prepared- It has now become the centre of the house where conversations flow, and memories are made. But if your kitchen cabinets are cluttered or disorganized, it can quickly turn this welcoming space into a frustrating and chaotic environment. Don’t worry- we got you! With a few simple strategies from expert kitchen remodeler in Illinois and the right kitchen cabinet organizers, you can transform your kitchen into a well-ordered, efficient space that makes cooking and cleaning a breeze. Let’s explore how you can organize your kitchen cabinets in a smart way!
7 Steps Guide to Organize Your Kitchen Cabinets Smartly
Step 1: Start with a Clean Slate
Before diving into cabinet organization, it’s essential to start with a clean slate. Begin by emptying all your cabinets. Yes, all of them! This will give you a clear view of what you have, what you no longer need, and what requires better storage solutions. As you empty the cabinets, group similar items together. For example, separate dishes, cookware, pantry items, and small appliances. This sorting step helps you visualize how much space you’ll need for each category, making the organization process smoother.
Pro Tip: Use this opportunity to declutter. Donate or toss out anything that’s expired, broken, or that you simply don’t use. There’s no point in organizing items you don’t need.
Step 2: Group Similar Items Together
Now that everything is out of the cabinets, it’s time to create groups of similar items. This will make it easier to decide where everything should go when it’s time to put things back. For example:
- Baking Supplies: Keep flour, sugar, measuring cups, mixing bowls, and baking sheets in the same area.
- Cooking Essentials: Group together pots, pans, spatulas, and utensils near the stove.
- Dinnerware: Plates, bowls, glasses, and silverware should all be stored close to the dishwasher or sink for easy clean-up.
By keeping similar items together, you’ll save time and effort when preparing meals, as everything will be in its rightful place.
Step 3: Maximize Vertical Space with Shelving Solutions
If your kitchen cabinets feel cramped, you’re likely not utilizing the vertical space effectively. One of the easiest and smartest ways to increase storage capacity is by adding kitchen cabinet organizers like stackable shelves or shelf risers. These simple tools allow you to store items on multiple levels within the same cabinet, maximizing every inch of space. For instance:
- Shelf Risers: Place one in a cabinet to create a second level of storage, perfect for stacking plates, bowls, or canned goods.
- Pull-out Drawers: These are ideal for lower cabinets where it can be hard to reach items in the back. With pull-out drawers, everything is easily accessible with just a quick slide.
- Corner Shelves: Utilize corner cabinets more efficiently by adding rotating shelves (like a lazy Susan) to keep items within reach.
These organizers are game-changers for small kitchens or cabinets with awkward dimensions, helping you make the most of your storage space.
Step 4: Use Bins and Baskets for Categorizing
When it comes to organizing kitchen cabinets, bins and baskets are your best friends. They help you group small or loose items together, ensuring that nothing gets lost in the back of your cabinets. For instance, consider storing snacks, packets of seasoning, or small bags of flour and sugar in labeled baskets. When it’s time to bake or cook, you can easily pull out the basket and find what you need.
Other smart uses for bins and baskets include:
- Under-the-sink Storage: Use a small bin to store cleaning supplies like sponges, dish soap, and trash bags.
- Pantry Storage: Store items like pasta, rice, and snacks in clear, labeled bins. This not only keeps things neat but also helps you see when supplies are running low.
Pro Tip: Clear bins are especially helpful because they allow you to see what’s inside at a glance, saving you time when you’re in a rush.
Step 5: Label Everything
Once you’ve grouped items and placed them in bins or on shelves, labeling everything is the final touch that will make your kitchen organization smart and efficient. Labels help everyone in the household know where things belong, reducing the likelihood of items being misplaced. Labeling the outside of bins, baskets, or shelves ensures that everything has a dedicated spot, making it easy to find things and just as easy to put them away.
Pro Tip: Label categories instead of individual items. For example, label a basket “snacks” rather than writing out each snack type. This keeps things flexible and adaptable for changes in your kitchen inventory.
Step 6: Optimize Cabinet Doors
Don’t overlook the inside of your cabinet doors! This often-neglected space can serve as extra storage when you use the right kitchen cabinet organizers.
Here are a few ways to optimize your cabinet doors:
- Install Hooks: Add hooks to hang measuring spoons, oven mitts, or small utensils on the inside of doors.
- Over-the-door Organizers: Use these for storing lids, cutting boards, or plastic wrap. They free up drawer and shelf space for larger items.
- Magnetic Strips: Place magnetic strips on the inside of your doors for easy access to knives, small spice jars, or other metal kitchen tools.
By utilizing the cabinet doors, you can keep countertops clear and make frequently used items more accessible.
Step 7: Store Items Based on Frequency of Use
One of the smartest ways to organize your kitchen cabinets is by storing items based on how often you use them. For example:
- Everyday Items: Keep dishes, glasses, utensils, and cookware that you use daily in easy-to-reach cabinets or drawers.
- Occasional Items: Store things like baking pans, specialty appliances, or seasonal dishes in higher or lower cabinets that are less accessible but still organized.
- Rarely Used Items: Store rarely used items, such as large roasting pans or holiday dishes, in the back of deep cabinets or in storage areas like a pantry or garage.
This strategy ensures that your most frequently used items are always within arm’s reach, making your kitchen more functional.
Step 8: Incorporate Drawer Organizers
While much of the focus is on cabinets, don’t forget to organize your kitchen drawers! Drawer organizers are essential for preventing clutter and keeping smaller items tidy.
Some key ways to use drawer organizers include:
- Utensil Trays: These keep forks, knives, spoons, and other utensils neatly separated and easy to find.
- Spice Drawer Inserts: These allow you to lay spice jars flat in a drawer so you can easily read the labels and access the spices you need.
- Knife Blocks: Use an in-drawer knife block to safely store your knives while keeping countertops clear.
By organizing drawers with trays and inserts, you’ll eliminate clutter and make everything easy to find.
Conclusion
Organizing your kitchen cabinets the smart way involves decluttering, utilizing vertical space, and incorporating kitchen cabinet organizers like bins, baskets, and drawer inserts. Wondering how and where to start? Well, begin with scheduling your free consultation with Stone Cabinet Works to get an overview of the plan and let experts handle the rest.
So call today at (847) 453-9884. Remember, an organized kitchen is not only a time-saver but also a stress-reducer, allowing you to fully enjoy the heart of your home.